We realize that there have been numerous articles and stories trying to explain how rare earth metals are effecting fluorescent light bulbs prices. Most of these articles are very elaborate and tell you a lot of information you might not understand. So here is a very simple explanation we can give you.

The United States ceased production of rare earth metals in 1999 in an effort to protect our natural resources. When the United States made the decision, it forced manufacturers to purchase these rare earth elements from other countries such as China. China realized that the U.S. and Arabian countries have oil, but the shear size of the rare earth deposits in China could be China’s version of a natural resource super power. Currently China produces 97% of all rare earth metals in the world.

China Reduces Export Of Rate Earth Metals

China has reached a point in their economic growth where the needs of China for rare earth metals are becoming much greater. Given the economic growth needs of China, the Chinese government has drastically reduced the export of these metals to other countries. This is a move on their part to protect their own growth, but also force more manufacturing to come to china.

Rare Earth Metals In Fluorescent Lamps

Of the rare earth metals mined in China are Yttrium (Y), Europium (Eu), and Terbium (Tb). These rare earth metals are phosphors, and are refined and processed into blended phosphors used to produce fluorescent and compact fluorescent light bulbs. This is what is know as Tri-Phosphor Technology. In the reduction of export of these metals to the U.S. and for fluorescent lamps being made in China for export to the U.S., the costs have risen exorbitantly on the simple basis of supply and demand.

Every light bulb manufacturer has been victim of this situation now referred to as the “Phosphor Crisis” or “Rare Earth Mineral Crisis”, and the costs are rising rapidly. The white powder inside each fluorescent lamp is made from the processed rare earth minerals. Manufacturers such as Sylvania, Philips, General Electric and other major manufacturers of fluorescent bulbs can’t buy the amounts of phosphors needed to meet U.S. production requirements. As the cost of these rare earth minerals rises, and the supply is reduced, the cost of fluorescent and CFL light bulbs is rising on a daily basis.

Will Fluorescent Price Increase Level Off?

It is very hard to predict where the end of this crisis will be without Government interference. Many U.S. mines that were previously mothballed are recommencing mining of the U.S. supply. Not only are these elements rare, but they are also used in the production of hybrid cars, defense navigation and weapons technology, and electronic devices. The United States Congress is more than aware of the problem and claims that this situation will not only effect Americans economically, but it also poses a risk to our national security. The U.S. mines will not be completely up and running, nor at a level of price competitiveness for several years to come. For now and the foreseeable future, these costs affecting several industries and the lighting industry will continue to rise incrementally.

Learn more about Rare Earth Metals with the video below from CNN.

As a leader in the lighting industry Synergy Lighting is always on the look out for innovative led lighting solutions that work as effectively as they are energy efficient. Occasionally we find products that exceed our expectations. Not only did we find an innovative product that outperform competing brands on lumens per watt, but also has an extremely affordable cost to the end-user. As Florida’s preferred distributor we proudly introduce Optec LED.

Synergy Lighting Introduces Optec LED Lighting Systems

Optec LED Lighting Systems retrofit several types of the most popular LED fixtures such as Parking Lot Lighting, Canopy Lighting, and Street Lighting Cobra Heads. With one of the most low profile and IP65 Outdoor Wet-Location Rated Enclosures, the Optec LED Lighting system delivers clear high performance, with affordability.

Optec LED Lighting Systems use exclusively the latest in Nichia 219 LED Lighting technology. Nichia 219 white LED offers superior 140 lumen per watt with 5,000K Natural White Illumination and the Highest Levels of Color Rendering. Using a uniformly phosphor coated chip, Optec LED Retrofits provide the industry leading source brightness and tightest optical footprint. The spatial color uniformity is also optimized with leading phosphor technology and thermally managed by Optec’s patented sure-cool aluminum housing.

Quick and Easy LED Retrofit Install

Optec LED Lighting retrofits and fixtures were designed to not only produce superior light output, but to be the easiest to install. The Prorprietary LED Cobra Head is an excellent choice for municipality and street lighting. For commercial clients, there is no need for custom made brackets and mounting hardware as Optec has a full line of manufactured installation kits ready for any installation. The design is flexible, to accommodate retrofit of virtually any shoebox or canopy light fixture and offers many benefits including long life and fast ROI.

Synergy Lighting is Florida’s #1 trusted source for LED Lighting and a preferred distributor for Optec LED Lighting Systems. For more information on switching to Optec LED Lighting or pricing, view our website and call Synergy Lighting for a free consultation.

Halco’s ProLED 1383 R12 lamps, are the latest in elevator lighting technology. Offering low maintenance and high incentives, including energy and cost savings.

Enhanced Safety and Lowering Costs

Elevator lamps are frequently required to be safety coated since the area is confined and subject to vibration. With LED technology, there is no glass, so you eliminate the need and cost of safety coating each lamp. In a constantly operating elevator, the ProLED lamp would last 4.566 years, compared to an incandescent lamp at an average of 35.6 days. Safety coated lamps cost an average of $4 each, eliminating this now unnecessary expense saves you $532 in safety coating costs alone.

Energy Savings with ProLED incandescent equivalent.

Save up to 87%1 in energy costs with ProLED R12 low voltage lamps, compared to its miniature incandescent equivalent. By replacing a 20 watt incandescent lamp with a ProLED 2.6 watt R12, you’ll save $76.562 over the life of the lamp.

Lower Heat Generation

By eliminating 87% of the energy devoted to lighting, there is less heat introduced to the cab of the elevator. With this decrease, the occupants are more comfortable while being safely protected. Plus, there is less impact on the elevator’s climate controls.

Longest Guaranteed Life Equals Maximum Savings

You’ll save 1333 lamp changes simply by switching from incandescent to ProLED. This means fewer lamps to purchase, install and dispose of and less hassle for you. With a useful life4 of 40,000 hours, backed by a 5-year Warranty, ProLED lamps are the solution for demanding lighting applications.

Download our Full Color E-Catalog for FREE!

Tired of not being able to find the right light bulb, ballasts or fixtures for your business? Synergy Lighting now offers one of the most diverse Lighting Catalogs that has nearly everything you could need! With over 5000 items from Light Bulbs, Ballasts, Fixtures, Emergency Lights, Parts, Globes, Lenses, we’ve got you covered!

Our full color E-Catalog is interactive for quick and easy searching. Simply go to the table of contents, click on the section you want and you’ll be there fast! Full color photos with measurements help to make sure you see exactly the kind of bulb you’re looking for! This ensures you order the right item the first time!

Whether you are operating a clothing store, retail store or even a local convenience store, attraction, cleanliness and appearance of products is vital to success. With the new F32T8/850 High Lumen Natural White T8 Lamps, stores appear brighter and color more vibrant than ever attracting customers to buy! These lamps replace traditional T8 lamps and achieve higher efficiencies by providing higher, cleaner light levels without increasing the electric bill. Simply remove the old lamp, and put in the F32T8/850 High Lumen lamp for an instant make-over!

F32T8/850/High Lumen Benefits

Advanced technology and Efficiency

30% Brighter than standard T8 Lamps

36,000 Hour Double Life (2x Longer)

High Color Rendering (up to 90% CRI)

Brass End Pins for better contacts

Extended Life Advanced Blended Phospohors

Triple Wound Tungsten Cathode (lasts longer)

Cathode End Guards to reduce lamp end darkening

Synergy Lighting is your “One Stop Shop”

Founded in 2001 as a “One Stop Shop” for full service lighting Supplies, Synergy Lighting is experienced at providing energy efficient lighting solutions to all types of businesses including: industrial, commercial, retail, hospitality, religious organizations, schools, municipalities, restaurants and more. We specilize in advanced lighting design and specification. As well, Synergy Lighting employees some of the brightest lighting experts in the industry!

Synergy Lighting is proud to be Florida’s #1 Source for Toshiba E-Core LED lamps. The Toshiba E-Core line of LED light bulbs offer the latest in cutting-edge technology, with a strong focus on sustainable lighting design. The unique looks of each Toshiba LED light bulb is pre-planned for functionality and advanced thermal management. The lamp line, features six reflector lamps in three industry standard (CCT) color temperatures, as well as an A19 superior performing lamp in two color temperatures. The smooth dimming and high quality of the LED’s and the lamps themselves make them an ideal solution for residential, commercial and hospitality lighting such as restaurants and hotels.

Synergy Lighting is very proud to introduce the 1383 and GBF LED’s by TCP to our retrofit LED line. These LED elevator bulbs are a direct replacement and provide greater light levels, 90% energy savings and over 25,000 life hours. An added benefit to the GFB LED and 1383 LED replacements is that virtually no heat is emitted, which makes elevator cabs cooler and less stuffy. With equivalent and higher light output in both lumens and color temperature compared to standard 1383 and halogen GBF incandescent bulbs, these are the best choice for all elevator lighting applications.

LED Elevator Bulb Saves 90% Energy!

Energy savings going up, maintenance costs going down! TCP’s LED Elevator Lamp Series is ideal for low voltage elevator lighting applications! Take your elevator lighting to a new level with LED elevator bulbs!

Founded over 65 years ago, Keystone Technologies continues to evolve and grow their comprehensive line of highly reliable, electronic, magnetic, and HID ballasts. You will find Keystone products installed by many of the world’s leading lighting fixture manufacturers and contractors. They choose Keystone because of their quality, value and commitment to engineer only the best ballast products for the market.

Synergy Lighting offers the complete line of Keystone brand ballasts at unbelievable low prices. From T12, T8 and T5 electronic ballasts to the HID, CFL and more.

Electronic Ballasts

Keystone’s extensive portfolio of electronic ballasts covers all fluorescent lighting applications, including commercial, industrial, and residential type lighting fixtures. Known for their dependability and energy efficiency, every Keystone electronic ballast is “burnt in” at the factory to ensure exceptional performance and superior reliability. Complete with a 3 year factory warranty.

HID Ballasts

Known for dependability and superior efficiency, Keystone’s high intensity discharge (HID) ballasts are perfectly suited for even the most demanding HID lighting applications. Keystone utilizes sophisticated manufacturing and quality control processes to guarantee outstanding performance in the field.

Available in metal halide, pulse start metal halide, and high pressure sodium, as well as ballast replacement kits.

Sign Ballasts

Keystone’s line of sign ballasts makes commercial sign maintenance simple. With only six ballasts that cover virtually all common plastic sign configurations, you’re sure to have the right ballast for the job.

All Keystone magnetic sign ballasts are designed to operate at a minimum starting temperature of -20ºF, which is ideal for use in cold outdoor sign applications. With Keystone’s quality and dependability, you can count on your installation to last.

Magnetic Ballasts

While many other manufacturers have discontinued their magnetic ballast lineup, Keystone remains committed to providing replacement magnetic ballasts for the millions of existing magnetic ballast installations.

Keystone also offers electronic “drop in” replacement to many common magnetic ballasts for simple conversion from magnetic to electronic technology.
To learn more or purchase Keystone Ballasts at GURANTEED LOW PRICING, visit us online at www.synergylightingusa.com or call us toll free at 1-877-220-5483.

With Stylish Design, Advanced Technology and an Unbelievable End User Price, The Pharox 300 LED Dimmable A-Lamp is a sure winner among LED replacement light bulbs. The Pharox 300 is Energy-saving, affordable and safe LED light bulb offering bright, warm, dimmable light perfect for any room in your home, office, and is great for hospitality lighting lasting 20 times longer than CFL bulbs.

This sleek design is eye pleasing, offering an excellent color rendering as well as consistent crisp light quality in its 3000K warm white color tone. Using only 6 Watts of energy to equal a 60 watt household incandescent, each of the Pharox 300 LED Light Bulbs uses 90% less energy and has a cost savings of $421.20

Sale Price: $26.87 Per LED Lamp.

No UV Radiation or Dirty Energy

Many fluorescent lights emit harmful UV radiation, which can be damaging to your skin and eyesight in cases of close proximity. As well CFL’s can produce harmful electro-magnetic sensitivity issues know as dirty power. The Pharox 300 LED bulb does not emit UV radiation and registers as a low emitter (safe) of electro-magnetic wave lengths. This means that the Pharox 300 is the safest light bulb for use in a home or hotel or resort.

Virtually No Heat

Incandescent and halogen bulbs emit about 90% of generated energy in form of heat (infrared radiation), which can damage or fade colors of sensitive objects or fabrics, such as a lamp shade, wallpaper, draperies or artwork. The Pharox 300 LED light bulb generates very little heat, which is dispersed through the “heat sink” at the base of the bulb. This means it requires less cooling from Air Conditioning equipment which adds another 20%-30% energy savings where large numbers of lamps are used.

Smooth Dimming Without Flicker

Fluorescent CFL’s often flicker when they are just turned on and are warming up. This flickering can cause problems for migraine sufferers and those with epilepsy. The Pharox 300 LED light bulb lights up instantly, without the irritating, and potentially hazardous, flickering. Additionally, many LED lamps with lower quality electronic drivers can cause feedback with older dimmers. This occurrence is rarely seen with the Pharox 300. The dimming range of the Pharox 300 is smooth down to 1 Watt with immediate dimming response. Compatible with most dimmers.

The Superior Life® Brand of LED lamps are one of the most effective and efficient ways to illuminate fixtures once traditionally reserved for incandescents and linear fluorescent tubes. The Superior Life advantage is the technological advancement of higher lumens per watt than competing LED Light Bulbs and advanced thermal management. These advancements in efficiency allow the Superior Life® Brand of LED light bulbs to achieve greater energy savings and become a true equal replacement of their incandescent and halogen predecessors.

All of the Superior Life® Brand LED Light Bulbs come standard with the highest quality components from CREE, the leading U.S. manufacturer of LED components. Whether your application is retail, office, commercial or hospitality, the Superior Life® LED Lamps offer up to 85% energy savings and superior performance lasting 20 times longer than traditional halogen bulbs. (50,000 Hours). Additionally these LED light bulbs have an excellent color rendering (CRI) of 85, and are available in color temperatures from 2700K to 6500K in both dimmable and non-dimming models.

Quality, Value, Service

Synergy Lighting sets itself apart from national competitors by providing our customers with quality, dependable products backed by a nationwide warranty, exceptional value with innovative energy saving products at affordable price levels, as well as providing the highest levels of expert customer service. All of our Superior Life® Brand LED products are available in stock for immediate FREE Delivery to commercial and residential customers nationwide.

For more information on switching to Energy Saving, Superior Life® LED Light Bulbs, view our website and call Synergy Lighting for a free consultation. Our expert staff is standing by to assist you in selecting the best products for your application!